Well, that settles that. Producer Michael Bay took to his blog again to address the fans who are criticizing his upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot. Bay’s decision to alter the Turtles’ origin story had sparked a long string of remarks from fans, Bay and even series co-creator Peter Laird – in his most recent missive, under the headline “Ninja Turtles’ Title,” Bay wrote:

Paramount marketing changed the name. They made the title simple. The characters you all remember are exactly the same, and yes they still act like teenagers. Everything you remember, why you liked the characters, is in the movie. This script is being developed by two very smart writers, with one of the original creators of Ninja Turtles. They care VERY MUCH about making this film for the fans. Everyone on this team cares about the fans. Just give them a chance. Jonathan [Liebesman] the director, is a major fan of the whole franchise. HE’S NOT GOING TO LET YOU DOWN.

Michael

Although at first it might seem like eliminating half of the iconic title would just upset fans even more, let us not forget that the late ’90s saw a revised iteration of the franchise called Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation, which still featured the same teenage mutants (and one abysmal addition) but without the headlining designation. There is precedence for abandoning the two words, and it certainly sounds like Bay is more concerned than ever with appeasing the fans. At this point, there’s not much more that Bay can say to prove that his goal is not destroying the smiles of thousands of children, as Turtle fanatics might think is the case, but rather, making a new, original Ninja Turtles movie that does right by the fans despite minor creative departures. Isn’t it about time we just let him try already?

I’m trying not to beat a dead turtle here, but PopWatchers, what’s your take on the latest development in Turtlegate? Will the backlash ever fade? Are you willing to put your doubts on hold and let Bay proceed, or is the road to pizza-loving turtle success still blocked by your objections?